Result: NBHA Northern Regional Championship

Location: Argyle, Wisconsin

Post Date: Apr 29, 2026

Submitted By: Greg Blair

NBHA Northern Regional Championship (l-r): Zach Erne, Chelsea Novak, Mick Rodegherio (judge), Brandon Smith, Garry Malzone, Jillian Stuhr with Mohawk Mill Trail Warrior, James Kleve, Mary Sue Schalk, John Dlobik, Deb Dlobik, Andrea Ward with Tallgrass King, Tom Waite, Ken Millikin, Chad Chadwell (judge), and Chris Fields.

The 2026 NBHA Northern Regional Championship was held at the Yellowstone Wildlife Management Area, near Argyle, Wisconsin. The grounds are rolling with plenty of acreage to allow a dog to stretch their legs, yet be in touch with their handler. No mowing was done this past summer, which provided dense cover with patches of thorns. The Twelve O'clock Field Trial Club hosts a very welcoming, warm event, and this year was no different. The field consisted of American Field/UKC champions as well as major Futurity winners. Thank you to each owner and handler who joined this Championship.

Our judges this year were Chad Chadwell of Springfield, Illinois, and Michael Rodegherio of Duluth, Minnesota. These two gentlemen are duly qualified and kept a keen eye on all the competitors. They did a great job and were welcomed kindly by all participants. Thank you, Chad and Mick!

This year drew a reputable entry from across the country. We welcomed entries from professional trainers traveling from New Jersey, Ohio, Kentucky, and Wisconsin, as well as a handful of amateur handlers. We experienced cool temperatures and brisk winds, with wind chills between 35 and 40 degrees each day. The cool temperatures, strong wind, and a bluebird sky made it tough for bird finding! Numerous dogs finished the hour, including: Indian Creek Spur (Malzone), Indian Creek Pineapple (Malzone), Blair's Holy Thunder (Waite), Erin's Deja Vu (Malzone), Raintree Simply Singular (Waite), Bakers Shining Star Duke (Baker), Boatrights Iron Eagle (Kleve), Mohawk Mill Trail Warrior (Malzone), Kissamee Grousewoods Tea (Malzone), Tallgrass King (Waite), and Hytime Dixie (Kleve).

The 2024 NBHA Northern Regional Champion is Mohawk Mill Trail Warrior (Malzone), who ran in the seventh brace (first on Friday morning). The runner-up champion this year is Tallgrass King (Waite). King ran on Friday morning, just prior to lunch.
Ch. Mohawk Mill Trail Warrior ("Buddy") is a male pointer owned by Jillian Stuhr, handled by Garry Malzone, and scouted by Jillian all from Indian Creek Kennels out of Franklin, New Jersey. Buddy and his bracemate, Boatright's Maverick, both started boldly to the front after the breakaway. Neither dog was seen after the first few turns, but Buddy was found pointed to the front at the 18-minute mark. Garry flushed, and all was in order. Buddy was carried forward, and after another 5-7 minutes, James requested the tracker for Maverick. Garry handled Buddy through the back of the course, securing another two finds. He punctuated his win with a good finish to the front. He was classy on the ground, handled kindly, and stayed comfortably to the front.
R-U Ch. Tallgrass King ("King") is a male Gordon setter owned by Michael Tewes of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, handled by Tom Waite, and scouted by Andrea Ward, all from Dale Creek Gundogs. King and his bracemate Kissamee Grousewoods Tea both started strong, with Tea disappearing to the front. King was quick, snappy, and light on his feet, always seen to the front. Tea appeared at the 15-minute mark and secured a find with all in order. As we approached Tea, King was found pointed 75 yards in front of her. Tom flushed with all in order. King continued to be bold and snappy. He was hitting the edges and the cover even through the thorns. King's finish sealed the deal for this young and exciting Gordon setter!

After completing the Championship, we started the Derby stake on Sunday morning. Our judges were John and Deb Dlobik. We can't thank them enough for sticking around and watching these youngsters. The stake drew eight competitive derbies--two of which are battling it out for NBHA Open Derby of the Year! Derby placements were secured as follows. First place went to Loghome Lizzie, a tri-color female English setter, owned by Rick Torres of Burlington, Wisconsin, and handled by Tom Waite. Indian Creek Arrowhead ("Scooter"), an exciting female pointer owned by Jillian Stuhr and handled by Garry Malzone, placed second. Rounding out the placements was Run to Wynn, a male pointer, owned by Brett Eikenbary of Mt. Croy, Ohio, and handled by Zach Erne of Rittman, Ohio. Wynn is the "leader in the clubhouse" for the NBHA Derby of the Year, with Lizzie a close second! All three placements showed application and desire for the entire 30 minutes.

The Twelve O'clock FTC would like to thank our national sponsors, Purina Pro Plan, Garmin, Mule Brand Clothing, OnX Hunt, Gun Dog Supply, and Gun Dog Central. We also would like to thank our dedicated dog wagon driver, Milt Shafer, bird planter John Dlobik, and scouts, who helped everyone who needed assistance, for their time and hard work. It is greatly appreciated!

Argyle, Wis., March 27
Judges: Chad Chadwell and Michael Rodegherio
NBHA NORTHERN REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP [One-Hour Heats] - 28 Entries
Winner-MOHAWK MILL TRAIL WARRIOR, F1676193, pointer male, by Stoney Run's Buddy-Hirollins Fancy Lady. Jill Stuhr, owner; Garry Malzone, handler.
Runner-Up-TALLGRASS KING, F1704981, Gordon setter male, by High Plains Scout-Breezwood Zoli. Mike Tewes, owner; Tom Waite, handler.

Judges: Deb Dlobik and John Dlobik
NBHA OPEN DERBY - 4 Pointers, 3 Setters, and 1 Irish Setter
1st-LOGHOME LIZZIE, F1710848, setter female, by Dale Creek Zed Babe-Dale Creek Rising Moon. Rick Torres, owner; Tom Waite, handler.
2d-INDIAN CREEK ARROWHEAD, F1716828, pointer female, by Indian Creek Spur-Indian Creek Mascara. Jillian Stuhr, owner; Garry Malzone, handler.
3d-RUN TO WYNN, F1712002, pointer male, by Imagine-Cocklebur Dragon Tattoo. Brett Eikenbary, owner; Zach Erne, handler.

NBHA Open Derby (l-r): Karen and Rick Torres, Tom Waite, Andrea Ward with Loghome Lizzie, Brad Toutant, Ken Millikin, Jillian Stuhr with Indian Creek Arrowhead, Garry Malzone, Andy Erne with Run to Wynn, John and Deb Dlobik (judges), Zach Erne, Chris Fields, and Mike Duvall.